Capitol Grounds Cafe

It pains me to write this update, because the owner and the employees are so nice. But honestly, this place has become like a 1970’s Saturday Night Live episode. In other words, they’re the «Not Ready for Prime Time Players.»
Every visit to Capitol Grounds is like a new adventure. Some days, they’ll have specials. For a while, they were grilling in front of the restaurant, but they stopped doing that. They’ve changed which breakfast pastries they offer. Some days, the enchiladas have a classic brown Tex-​Mex chili gravy, but on a few occasions, they’ve had a red sauce that tastes more like a ranchero sauce.
However, the most annoying and common problem at Capitol Grounds is their tendency to run out of things. I’ve been there when they’ve run out of Coca-​Cola or another soft drink. I’ve been there when they’ve run out of styrofoam cups for drinks. And today, they’re out of quite a few of the different pre-​made tacos they bring in for breakfast.
I so wish I could keep saying great things about this place, but the sporadic great things are so overwhelmed by so many of the amateur failings. Paging Gordon Ramsay?

Nice staff. Subpar food for the price.

I have a soft spot for small mom and pop places that really go out of their way to make me happy. It does not take much. A taco here. A cup of coffee there. A smile. A cute, thoughtful comment. A kiss. Oh, wait. That’s another review. I’ve noticed the long list of fancy crazy coffee drinks and may get a wild hair to try one some day.
The bean, cheese and avocado tacos are $ 1.99 and come with fresh pico and salsa. It’s not on the menu so ask for the «Christine A». I tried to get them to name it after me but I think they prefer «bean and cheese with avocado on corn tortilla taco». I explained it would shorten the time it takes for someone to order it but they will not budge.
Maybe when they print their new menu…

Great spot to grab tacos in the morning… especially since I work at the capitol, short walk and the tacos are good.

Los Lonely Boys asks in their song «How far is heaven?’, heck it wasn’t hard I found it. Capitol Grounds Café has a ONE-​TWO punch. Should I go for breakfast and be too full for lunch or should I wait for lunch but pass by the best breakfast tacos on planet Austin for breakfast? It’s like a SCOOBY-​DOO mystery man! Even the coffee is better than almost everywhere I go. Lunch there with your pocket change and you’ll be taking a cat-​nap in no time once you get back to the office.
This place is right next to the Texas Chili Parlor and I for one HIGHLY recommend that you give them a try. I should know, I’m the Mexi-​CAN!

The people that run this place are really nice. I work close by and everyone on my floor loves their lunches. I love the hours they are open too. I get to work about 6:15 and no one else is open then. Really convenient to stop in before I get to my office. I’m not really a fan of their breakfast tacos. The ones I’ve tried were pretty dry. I finally found the carne guisada breakfast taco that I really liked but then I got one that was so salty I had to throw it away. It was a while before I went back for breakfast. I stopped this morning and tried one again. Delicious meat but only three small pieces completely overwhelmed by a tough dry taco and no gravy. I don’t think that’s a great deal for $ 2.50. I would love it if they could make their breakfast tacos to order. I would also love lower calorie, low fat, lighter options on both breakfast and lunch. Maybe half orders too? If they did people watching their weight and trying to be healthier could eat there more often!
I really wish them well and really want them to make it in this location. Tweak the Breakfast and they’d be great!

I don’t usually do reviews but I feel that this place deserves some praise. I have eaten mexican food a good part of my life and have to say that this place has some of the best around. They are from the same family who own Nuevo Leon and this place is great on its own. I have found myself eating lunch there almost everyday of the week. I have had their burritos and enchiladas which are both excellent but normally order a couple of tacos. The owner Kevin is super nice as well as his wife and kids. I know the kids are just helping out over the summer but still pretty cool that it is a true family place.
Not only is the food great but the prices are great as well. The lunch special is normally only $ 5.50 and you get a lot of food for the price. The tacos I order are always stuffed full and only a few bucks. I also hope this place makes it and does well as it is very good food run by nice people.
Give it a try.

This place is really good. I live down the street and work in Price Daniels, and I’m there almost every day. Here’s what I like about it, in bullet form:
* The proprietors and their kids are really nice.
* They get to know you, remember your name, offer you free stuff occasionally, wave when they see you on the street on their day off.
* The Tex/​Mex is solid (and better than other nearby Tex/​Mex by a long shot).
* The (non-​Tex/​Mex) specials are usually good and different every day.
* The prices are dirt cheap.
* There’s outdoor seating in the shade.
* All the ordering is done cafeteria style, so there’s no waitresses disappointed when you don’t order a margarita at noon.
* The proprietors are eager to hear your suggestions, and actually implement them.
* It’s spacious enough and reasonably quiet, not ridiculously crowded and loud.
* It’s bright an clean, not a dark, filthy dive.
Just go check it out, it’s only $ 7 for a meal.

Just had a quick lunch there today 6÷26÷2012 and man was it fast. I had my wife’s beef vegetable soup and my enchiladas with a side order of a really good carne guisada taco in about 4 minutes. The food was great and hot like in temperature. They have breakfast tacos of which I’ve had before and a real deal from $ 1.25 to $ 2.50. The tacos are homemade with many choices. The staff is very helpful and friendly. They have specialty coffees too. Clean bathrooms are a plus. They’re right at 14^th St and Lavaca St. If you’re looking for very reasonably priced food for breakfast and lunch check them out. Local folks with great food. Good Luck CGC.
Michael

I was really surprised this place hasn’t been written up on Unilocal yet. I hesitate to give 5 stars for fear of being filtered. BUT, since there’s nothing I can criticize them for and only have good things to say, I have to go with 5 stars. I’ve only had their lunch, and it is fantastic Tex-​Mex food! The guys running the place are super-​friendly and accommodating… for instance, they offered me an additional taco if I wasn’t into rice and beans on the fajita plate, without me even asking. And, they have corn tortillas, which is a big plus for me. The chicken supreme enchiladas are wonderful, as are the fajitas, with juicy meat that is perfectly seasoned and without any gristle or fatty bits. I also really liked the super-​spicy green salsa, though they have a milder salsa as well.
They do breakfast tacos also, which I think come from elsewhere, and have a lot of pastries available. And of course, coffee is a big selling point – hence the name. Perhaps someone else can review the caffeinated choices; I’m not usually a coffee-​drinker, as it tends to make me want to choke people. Anyway, I really, really want this place to make it, as it’s right across the street from my office, and all the previous deli’s and cafes in this location have gone belly-​up for some reason. Help them avoid the curse!